Shares in Sorrell’s S4 Capital get boost as rapid expansion continues July 29, 2019 Shares in S4 Capital rose more than four per cent this morning after the digital advertising firm reported strong trading for the first half. S4, which is run by ad veteran Sir Martin Sorrell, said like-for-like revenue and gross profit were up roughly 40 per cent over the period. Read more: Sorrell’s S4 Capital to [...]
New York and London top list of world’s best cities for marketing July 1, 2019 London has been named the second best city in the world for marketing activities, losing out only to New York. A new report published by Accenture named New York as the top location for marketers due to its world-class infrastructure, strong presence of brand owners and robust marketing ecosystem. Read more: WPP to sell stake [...]
WPP to sell stake in sports marketing firm Chime Communications June 30, 2019 Advertising group WPP is set to sell its stake in sports marketing agency Chime Communications in its latest move to slim down the business. WPP will sell its 25 per cent stake in Chime to US investment firm Providence Equity Partners, which holds the remaining 75 per cent, for £50m. Read more: WPP confirms sale [...]
Martin Sorrell labels tech firms ‘frenemies’ as he lays out vision for S4 Capital expansion June 24, 2019 Sir Martin Sorrell chats to James Warrington in Cannes about S4 Capital, but can’t resist a dig at WPP SIR MARTIN is a busy man. So busy, in fact, that the only time he can carve out for an interview is 20 minutes in the back of his car, as his driver whisks him between [...]
WPP confirms sale of post-production house The Farm Group to US rival June 21, 2019 WPP has confirmed the sale of its TV and film post-production firm The Farm Group to LA-based rival Picture Shop. Read more: Sorrell poaches two former media executives with links to WPP for new venture S4 Capital The ad giant today said it has signed a deal to sell its 75 per cent stake in [...]
Sorrell’s S4 Capital to buy marketing firm Biztech as it ramps up global expansion June 21, 2019 Sir Martin Sorrell’s S4 Capital is set to snap up marketing tech firm Biztech in its latest bid to expand globally and take on traditional ad agencies. S4 Capital said Media Monks, its content division, has conditionally agreed a merger with the Melbourne-headquartered firm for an undisclosed sum. Read more: Sir Martin Sorrell: Traditional agency [...]
Sir Martin Sorrell: Traditional agency model is ‘not fit for purpose’ June 18, 2019 Former WPP boss Sir Martin Sorrell has launched yet another attack on his old firm, saying traditional ad agencies are “not fit for purpose” and must go private to survive. Speaking at the Cannes Lions festival today, Sorrell said the industry has to change if it is to adapt to increased competition and a new [...]
Editor’s Notes: Canary Wharf is still the place to meat June 13, 2019 We live in interesting times. A few years ago, who would have expected vegan sausage rolls to fly off Greggs’ heated shelves, or for KFC to announce a new vegan “chicken” burger called The Imposter? Veganism is alive and well… but not so much at the Canary Wharf branch of Boisdale this week, where the [...]
Sorrell poaches two media execs with links to WPP for his S4 Capital venture June 12, 2019 Sir Martin Sorrell has hired a former WPP executive for his new venture S4 Capital in the ad veteran’s latest broadside against his old firm. Scott Spirit, who was ousted by WPP just months after Sorrell’s abrupt departure last year, will join S4 Capital as chief growth officer and board member. Read more: S4 Capital [...]
Babcock shares sink as one-off costs torpedo defence giant’s profits May 22, 2019 Babcock shares fell nine per cent this morning as the defence giant revealed profits fell by nearly one-half last year amid a “challenging” market environment. The company, which employs 35,000 people and is a major contractor to the Ministry of Defence (MoD), Royal Navy, army and RAF, was hit by £161m of exceptional costs throughout [...]